Checkrein-fastener



. J..A. SMALL. GHEGKREIN PASTENER.

(No Model.)

No. 539,831. PatentedMay 28, 1895.

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Nrr ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ATWOOD SMALL, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

CHEC KREIN-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,831, dated May 28, 1895.

Application filed March 23, 1895 Serial No. 542,967- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES ATWOOD SMALL,-

supporting itself in the proper position independent of other fastening devices, said attachment being provided with a spring arm extension resting within the check rein hook, and serving to prevent the escape of the check rein.

To this end the invention consists in making a safety device from a wire blank bent at its central portion to form a spring loop or arm adapted to lie within the check rein hook, and also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly projecting arms or extensions having hooked ends for engaging the back strap loop on saddle; in the particular manner of bending said arms for adapting them to embrace the saddle; also in certain featuresand details of construction and arrangement hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

' cation of my improved safety device.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a harness-saddle, or a sufficient portion thereof to show the appli Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the device detached.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the drawlngs.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a saddle of any ordinary description to which is secured a check rein hook 2 and a back strap loop 3 located just beneath the saddle.

4 indicates the perforated leather clip or fastening piece by means of which the check rein is secured to its loop 2, and it is to prevent the escape of this piece 4 which comprises the inner end of the check rein, that the dedle. After extending rearwardly a short distance the terminals are given each one or more coils 8 for imparting increased elasticity to the device as a whole, and from thence said terminals extend slightly upwardly and inwardly toward each other being provided at their inner adjacent ends with hooked or bent extremities which pass down through and engage the back strap loop 3, thereby retaining the device as a whole in place. The inwardly extending arms 9 between the coils 8 and bent or hooked ends 10 bear up tightly beneath the saddle, and the outwardly extending arms or portions 11 between the bends 6 and 7 bear snugly upon the upper face of said saddle, by means of which construction and arrangement the spring arm or loop 5 is normally held in contact with the lower inner face of the check rein hook 2.

By means of the construction and arrangement above described, it will beapparent that the check rein may be readily inserted over the hook 2, and that it will depress the spring armor loop 5 in its passage to the front of said hook. The backward movement of the check rein will, however, .be prevented by its coming in contact with the arm 5. By pressing upon the arm 5, however, with the finger it may be lowered or depressed sufficiently to enable the check rein to be withdrawn from its hook. It will also be apparent that the safety device may be easily applied and removed from the saddle, and that it may be finished in brass, silver, or gold, or otherwise ornamented to correspond with the other trimmings.

It will be apparent that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. An attachment for harness saddles made of wire and comprising a spring arm adapted to project beneath the check-rein hook, and a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly projecting arms or extensions having hooked ends adapted to engage the back strap loop, sub stantially as described.

2. A safety device adapted to be applied to a harness saddle, for preventing the displacement of'the check-rein from its retaining hook, the same being made from a wire blank bent at its central portion to form a spring loop or arm adapted tolie within the check-rein hook, after which the terminals of the blank are bent outwardly in opposite directions, then each bent to form one or more coils, after which said terminals are extended inwardly toward each other and provided with bent or hooked ends by which the device is adapted to engage the back strap loop, and bear firmly. beneath the saddle for properly supporting itself in position, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES A'IWOOD SMALL. Witnesses:

DANIEL SWAY, JOHN B. EVANS. 

